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Poway Teacher Of The Year Winners Given Pink Slips
March 20, 2009POWAY, Calif. -- Poway is known for having some of the best schools in San Diego County, and that is because they have some of the best teachers.
Kerry Ariaza was Teacher of the Year at Poway's Meadowbrook Middle School.
"It's a great time to teach the word 'oxymoron,'" said Ariaza.
Oxymoron is the combination of contradictory words, and Ariaza's picture might be found next do that definition.
"One day, I received the Teacher of the Year award for my school, which is an amazing accolade and wonderful to be voted on by my peers. The next day I received a pink slip," said Ariaza.
Ariaza has been a teacher for 15 years, the last six in Poway.
However, her job next fall is in jeopardy and she is not alone.
"I was shocked," said Paul Green.
Green was Teacher of the Year at Meadowbrook the year before Ariaza, and he received a pink slip, too.
"It's hard because I thought I was here long enough and regardless of whether I was teacher of the year or not, I thought I had put in my time," said Ariaza.
That is the issue in Poway. It is not about the awards or how well teachers work with students -- it is about seniority.
In a statement to 10News, Poway Associate Superintendent Bill Chiment said, "The devastating effect California's proposed budget will have for education and our outstanding educators are regrettable and avoidable …"
Avoidable because Green and Ariaza, and the 260 other teachers from the district that received pink slips last week might get their jobs back.
However, that might not happen until August, leaving so many teachers, parents and students wondering what happens next.
"It's an unfortunate time in education but it's the law," said Ariaza.
In the event teachers are not able to return next fall, the Poway School District is projecting class sizes to increase by about five students per classroom.
Poway Staffing Ratio:
Grades Students to Teacher
Currently K-3 20-1
Projected K-1 24-1
2-3 30-1
Currently 4-5 29-1
Projected 32-1
Currently 6-8 28.2-1
Projected 33.2-1
Currently 9-12 30-1
Projected 35-1
*Courtesy: Poway Unified School District
Statement From Poway Associate Superintendent Bill Chiment:
"The devastating effects California's proposed budget will have for education and for our outstanding educators are regrettable and avoidable. Which teachers are to receive preliminary lay off notices is controlled by credential and seniority. These two Teachers of the Year represent the many fine teachers who are early in their careers and are being given these preliminary notices. The real solution is not which teachers must be laid off, but with adequate funding, so that no teachers are laid off."
Bill Chiment
Associate Superintendent
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